Numbers 11:7

7 Soothly manna was as the seed of coriander, of the colour of bdellium, which is white, and (as) bright as crystal.

Numbers 11:7 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 11:7

And the manna [was] as coriander seed
Not in colour, for that is black or darkish, whereas the manna was white, as is generally observed; of which (See Gill on Exodus 16:31); however it might be like the coriander, because of its form and figure, being round, and because of its quantity, being small, ( Exodus 16:14 ) ; Some think the mustard seed is meant, as Aben Ezra observes, which is the least of all seeds; it seems that the manna fell in small round grains, like to such seed. This, with what follows, is observed, to expose the folly and ingratitude of the Israelites, that having such bread from heaven, angels food, that they should slight it, and hanker after other food:

and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium;
not an aromatic gum, which Pliny ^F11 speaks of, which is clear as wax, for that is black or blackish, and not white as the manna; besides, this should be read, not "bdellium", but "bdeloah", and is a precious stone, and, according to Bochart, the pearl; so Ben Melech observes, that it is a precious stone; some say the diamond, and others a round white stone, which they bore and join stones together, and make a chain of, he doubtless means a pearl necklace; though Jarchi says it is the crystal, and so the Jewish writers commonly; (See Gill on Genesis 2:12); hence it appears the manna was very pleasant to look at, being of a round form, and of a pearl or crystal colour.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 Nat. Hist. l. 12. c. 9.

Numbers 11:7 In-Context

5 We think upon the fish that we ate in Egypt freely (We remember all the fish that we ate in Egypt); gourds, and melons, and leeks, and onions, and garlic come into our mind(s);

6 our soul is dry; our eyes behold none other thing than manna. (but now our bodies be all dried up, and there is nothing to see but this manna!)

7 Soothly manna was as the seed of coriander, of the colour of bdellium, which is white, and (as) bright as crystal.

8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and brake it with a quernstone, either pounded it in a mortar, and seethed it in a pot (and boiled it in a pot); and made thereof little cakes of the (same) savour as of bread made with oil.

9 And when [the] dew came down in the night upon the tents, also manna came down together therewith.